Name: Natalie Fromage Age: 39 Gender: Female Occupation: Clothes and Accessory Shop Owner Social Class: Bourgeoisie (between nobility and the workers and peasants) Financial situation: More than enough to get by. By selling expensive apparel to the noble class, I earn around 20 livres a day. Appearance: Although I am a Bourgeoisie, I try not to dress too rich or people will start to think that I should pay more tax and so that the rest of the third class will not be too jealous. I try to keep up with the fashion trends, but dull them down by not wearing too much colour like the rich. Wearing dull clothes while the shop is open also brings more attention to the items I sell other than what I wear. When I go out for special occasions, I try to wear the brightest colour dress I can find. Daily routine: Wake up early, make sure my maid, Arie, takes care of my son properly and sends him to school, open up the shop at 9. Then, I try to sell to the customers while trying to keep the poor-looking people away from store doors. Around 3 I visit the local church for 15 minutes, then I return to the shop. I then close the store at 6 and return home to my son and wait for my husbands return. Dinner is usually prepared at 7 by Arie. After that, I tuck Samuel in and go to bed.
On Sundays, we visit the church at 6 in the morning and Arie takes care of Samuel while I open my store. Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: I was born into a semi-poor family, so I do not look down at the poor as much as many of the nobles. I do however detest those who are the poorest of the poor because the way I see them is that they are only poor because they don't work hard enough. What makes me unique is that I find cheese irresistable. When I was young, my mother would cook dishes that overflowed with cheese and so my favorite dish is a pizza although it does cost a lot just to get special ingredients from Italy. It is quite the coincidence my last name is Fromage :D Past/individual-family history: Born into third estate. My father died when I was 3 and my mom married a man in the second estate when I was 5. Family: Mother and Father deceased. I married a nobleman, Jean, and currently have two sons, Samuel, the age of 5 and Jacques Barret, the age of 19 Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in other classes, AND your opinions and feelings about them): I mostly sell clothes to the nobles and maybe some of the higher third estates (but very little since hardly any can afford the clothes I sell). Once in a while some people from the lower classes come up to the store, which drives away customers. That’s when I have to shoo them away, although I sometimes I do feel bad about doing so. Religion: Catholic Education: Attended elementary school Style of speaking inFrance: Enriched Vocabulary compared to many Languages you speak: Fluent in French and little English Main privileges and/or conflicts: Can pay less than half of the taxes than others
Diary 1: Before the Storm 8 Septembre 1788
This morning, I woke up to the most delicious smell, as the scent of baked bread and pastries permeated my room. Arie had brought me breakfast in bed, which of course I just loved, and so I tipped her 50 sous and told her to do the exact same tomorrow morning unless it was raining out. I wouldn’t want the bread to get wet or lose its scent as she brings it back from the market. Afterwards, Arie sent Samuel to school, but his friend went along too. Although Samuel has finally learned to make friends, I am worried what type of impact he will make on Samuel, especially because the little boy who he has befriended is the son of a farmer. I opened my shop at 9, of course that was only after spending an hour of supervising my employees while they make the new trendy dresses designed by Marie Antoinette. I began selling when the employees start to complain about the taxes they had to pay and how much they had to work compared to us upper class and start to make a fuss about Marie Antoinette playing in the hamlet. I told them that they should respect the nobles and the monarchy because it is us who have more power than they. Although, I do admit, I mostly said that because the monarchy are the ones who give me my privileges, but Marie Antoinette is the Autrichienne who gets to have all that money from King Louis XVI and gets to use it. Sometimes I’m shamefully jealous of her. I occasionally wish I could be in her place because of all the special treatment and privileges that she gets. I find it is unfair that people are taxing based on how we are dressed. If I buy a new dress, it is most likely I can’t even wear it without someone noticing and noting me as someone who can pay more taxes! Of course after getting reprimanded by me, many of the workers were dead silent and had already gone back to work. Today’s sales was like every other day, the nobles came to browse about and find what they wanted, I helped them see which item looked best on what and finally I convinced them to buy whatever it was they wanted plus an extra accessory to go with the outfit. There was, however, one lady in particular who seemed to interest me. She and her friend were browsing the items in my shop, when I happened to over hear that a lawyer’s name was written inside a sealed letter. Apparently the lawyer had defended a man in the third class against a noble about a month ago and the king had sent the letter to the nobleman just two days ago. Although that was bad luck for the lawyer, I have to say, it was good luck that he wasn’t scheduled for an execution. As it is about 8 30, I shall have to tuck my Samuel in bed. ~ Natalie Fromage Diary 2
Yesterday, my husband received an order that stated that it was mandatory for him to Guienne and Gascony with Jean-Paul Girard to stop the rioting that has aroused among the peasants. The reason why they have suddenly started uproar is unclear to me because it is in a distant city, but I have heard that many peasants have broken into their landlords’ houses and all the logging of taille payment. I also heard that people have started to become very violent and acted as savages when people started to mention taxes. My husband and I agree that the reason for their anger and rage is probably because they are jealous of us upper class. Another reason why I think they are becoming mad is because even though they are the poorest of the poor, they still have to pay the most taxes. But I dare not say this out loud. Although it was a very, very long time ago, I remember how my mother used to curse the privileged and always complained about how unfair the divisions were. If I had tried to voice my opinion to the other upper class, it is most likely they would not understand or they would shun me for standing up for the peasants. I can only hope that my husband will stay safe and out of harm’s way. As well as worrying for my husband, I worry about my son’s safety. I am not sure if school for Samuel has been cancelled or not, but today I did not let him go because of the sudden rise of violence throughout the city. Today, I was informed by Jaqcues that my supplies weren’t going to be able to be delivered on time. I didn’t take much thought into it because my store was full of items that I had yet to sell. But then when I arrived at my shop to open it, I found the windows shattered to pieces and in ruins. Most, if not all, the valuables in the store had been stolen! It makes me angry just writing these words! I bet it was one of the lower class people who think that they can make change by rioting and yelling. It was by then that I had already forgotten that Jaqcues could not deliver my goods because of terrible weather. Sometimes I wish I could just damn the weather to hell. There have been storms that are going on and off for several weeks now. The food prices are starting to rise as it is becoming harder for the farmers to grow the crops for the fresh markets. Meaning I have to start giving Arie more money to buy more food. There comes the rain again, I better close the windows before it starts to come in. ~ N.F.
October 1793
For two months people around me have been dying. Sentenced to death, their heads being severed from their bodies by the terrifying guillotine. If the guillotine does not kill me, the suspense will. Marie Antoinette was already executed and as I saw the blade slice through her neck like butter, I saw my death flash before my eyes. My face, instead of hers, was plastered onto that head. I am afraid that the Law of Suspects will find me guilty of opposing the government in any way. If so, my vision will come true. I can only hope that my vision does not turn into déjà vu.
Ever since this Committee of Public Safety has been created, it has been like there has been a reign of terror. Already, thousands have been put to death for the slightest evidence of going against the government or trying to break the Maximum. Even our religion has been abolished and said to be no more than ‘superstition’. Perhaps that is what this era shall be called if our world is not destroyed by these mass murders! Lord, please forgive me for not showing faith in public, for it is against the laws of France. Oh how I wish God would swoop me from this world and say that the feelings that torture me at this moment is punishment enough for my sins…
Although the rise of food prices has stopped temporarily, I feel that it does not matter! I don’t care that the Law of the Maximum that was created. It won’t do me any good for prices to stop from rising if I die! Even if they stop the prices from going up, it is certain that thousands of people will die from the death penalty of trying to break the Maximum. I am sure that if my clothes and accessory shop was still open, I would be tempted to break the Maximum and if that had happened, I don’t know what I would do for my little Samuel.
Every day I become more wary of the surrounding people... Scared that someone might suspect me of doing any wrongs. Where I am right now, the penalty of rebelling the government is the guillotine. To stay positive, I can say that I am glad that I don’t live near Nantes or Lyons because I heard rumors that they are making plans for thousands of people to drowned at a time to speed up the killings and that in Lyon people are going to be shot into graves like target practice, but what really keeps going in my mind is that if I die, I will DIE.
If something happens to me, I just hope my son will be safe with my sister. I have sent him away to stay with her in case the worst shall happen. They still have not found out my sister’s relation to me because we were separated when we were very young. The fact that she is the wife of Jean-Paul Girard (Bradley) should keep them from finding out the relation between my sister and me, and my five year old son, Samuel and me.
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Occupation: Clothes and Accessory Shop Owner
Social Class: Bourgeoisie (between nobility and the workers and peasants)
Financial situation: More than enough to get by. By selling expensive apparel to the noble class, I earn around 20 livres a day.
Appearance: Although I am a Bourgeoisie, I try not to dress too rich or people will start to think that I should pay more tax and so that the rest of the third class will not be too jealous. I try to keep up with the fashion trends, but dull them down by not wearing too much colour like the rich. Wearing dull clothes while the shop is open also brings more attention to the items I sell other than what I wear. When I go out for special occasions, I try to wear the brightest colour dress I can find.
Daily routine: Wake up early, make sure my maid, Arie, takes care of my son properly and sends him to school, open up the shop at 9. Then, I try to sell to the customers while trying to keep the poor-looking people away from store doors. Around 3 I visit the local church for 15 minutes, then I return to the shop. I then close the store at 6 and return home to my son and wait for my husbands return. Dinner is usually prepared at 7 by Arie. After that, I tuck Samuel in and go to bed.
On Sundays, we visit the church at 6 in the morning and Arie takes care of Samuel while I open my store.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: I was born into a semi-poor family, so I do not look down at the poor as much as many of the nobles. I do however detest those who are the poorest of the poor because the way I see them is that they are only poor because they don't work hard enough. What makes me unique is that I find cheese irresistable. When I was young, my mother would cook dishes that overflowed with cheese and so my favorite dish is a pizza although it does cost a lot just to get special ingredients from Italy. It is quite the coincidence my last name is Fromage :D
Past/individual-family history: Born into third estate. My father died when I was 3 and my mom married a man in the second estate when I was 5.
Family: Mother and Father deceased. I married a nobleman, Jean, and currently have two sons, Samuel, the age of 5 and Jacques Barret, the age of 19
Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in other classes, AND your opinions and feelings about them): I mostly sell clothes to the nobles and maybe some of the higher third estates (but very little since hardly any can afford the clothes I sell). Once in a while some people from the lower classes come up to the store, which drives away customers. That’s when I have to shoo them away, although I sometimes I do feel bad about doing so.
Religion: Catholic
Education: Attended elementary school
Style of speaking in France: Enriched Vocabulary compared to many
Languages you speak: Fluent in French and little English
Main privileges and/or conflicts: Can pay less than half of the taxes than others
Diary 1: Before the Storm
8 Septembre 1788
This morning, I woke up to the most delicious smell, as the scent of baked bread and pastries permeated my room. Arie had brought me breakfast in bed, which of course I just loved, and so I tipped her 50 sous and told her to do the exact same tomorrow morning unless it was raining out. I wouldn’t want the bread to get wet or lose its scent as she brings it back from the market. Afterwards, Arie sent Samuel to school, but his friend went along too. Although Samuel has finally learned to make friends, I am worried what type of impact he will make on Samuel, especially because the little boy who he has befriended is the son of a farmer.
I opened my shop at 9, of course that was only after spending an hour of supervising my employees while they make the new trendy dresses designed by Marie Antoinette. I began selling when the employees start to complain about the taxes they had to pay and how much they had to work compared to us upper class and start to make a fuss about Marie Antoinette playing in the hamlet. I told them that they should respect the nobles and the monarchy because it is us who have more power than they. Although, I do admit, I mostly said that because the monarchy are the ones who give me my privileges, but Marie Antoinette is the Autrichienne who gets to have all that money from King Louis XVI and gets to use it. Sometimes I’m shamefully jealous of her. I occasionally wish I could be in her place because of all the special treatment and privileges that she gets. I find it is unfair that people are taxing based on how we are dressed. If I buy a new dress, it is most likely I can’t even wear it without someone noticing and noting me as someone who can pay more taxes!
Of course after getting reprimanded by me, many of the workers were dead silent and had already gone back to work. Today’s sales was like every other day, the nobles came to browse about and find what they wanted, I helped them see which item looked best on what and finally I convinced them to buy whatever it was they wanted plus an extra accessory to go with the outfit. There was, however, one lady in particular who seemed to interest me. She and her friend were browsing the items in my shop, when I happened to over hear that a lawyer’s name was written inside a sealed letter. Apparently the lawyer had defended a man in the third class against a noble about a month ago and the king had sent the letter to the nobleman just two days ago. Although that was bad luck for the lawyer, I have to say, it was good luck that he wasn’t scheduled for an execution.
As it is about 8 30, I shall have to tuck my Samuel in bed.
~ Natalie Fromage
Diary 2
Yesterday, my husband received an order that stated that it was mandatory for him to Guienne and Gascony with Jean-Paul Girard to stop the rioting that has aroused among the peasants. The reason why they have suddenly started uproar is unclear to me because it is in a distant city, but I have heard that many peasants have broken into their landlords’ houses and all the logging of taille payment. I also heard that people have started to become very violent and acted as savages when people started to mention taxes. My husband and I agree that the reason for their anger and rage is probably because they are jealous of us upper class. Another reason why I think they are becoming mad is because even though they are the poorest of the poor, they still have to pay the most taxes. But I dare not say this out loud. Although it was a very, very long time ago, I remember how my mother used to curse the privileged and always complained about how unfair the divisions were. If I had tried to voice my opinion to the other upper class, it is most likely they would not understand or they would shun me for standing up for the peasants.
I can only hope that my husband will stay safe and out of harm’s way.
As well as worrying for my husband, I worry about my son’s safety. I am not sure if school for Samuel has been cancelled or not, but today I did not let him go because of the sudden rise of violence throughout the city. Today, I was informed by Jaqcues that my supplies weren’t going to be able to be delivered on time. I didn’t take much thought into it because my store was full of items that I had yet to sell. But then when I arrived at my shop to open it, I found the windows shattered to pieces and in ruins. Most, if not all, the valuables in the store had been stolen! It makes me angry just writing these words! I bet it was one of the lower class people who think that they can make change by rioting and yelling.
It was by then that I had already forgotten that Jaqcues could not deliver my goods because of terrible weather. Sometimes I wish I could just damn the weather to hell. There have been storms that are going on and off for several weeks now. The food prices are starting to rise as it is becoming harder for the farmers to grow the crops for the fresh markets. Meaning I have to start giving Arie more money to buy more food.
There comes the rain again, I better close the windows before it starts to come in.
~ N.F.
October 1793
For two months people around me have been dying. Sentenced to death, their heads being severed from their bodies by the terrifying guillotine. If the guillotine does not kill me, the suspense will. Marie Antoinette was already executed and as I saw the blade slice through her neck like butter, I saw my death flash before my eyes. My face, instead of hers, was plastered onto that head. I am afraid that the Law of Suspects will find me guilty of opposing the government in any way. If so, my vision will come true. I can only hope that my vision does not turn into déjà vu.
Ever since this Committee of Public Safety has been created, it has been like there has been a reign of terror. Already, thousands have been put to death for the slightest evidence of going against the government or trying to break the Maximum. Even our religion has been abolished and said to be no more than ‘superstition’. Perhaps that is what this era shall be called if our world is not destroyed by these mass murders! Lord, please forgive me for not showing faith in public, for it is against the laws of France. Oh how I wish God would swoop me from this world and say that the feelings that torture me at this moment is punishment enough for my sins…
Although the rise of food prices has stopped temporarily, I feel that it does not matter! I don’t care that the Law of the Maximum that was created. It won’t do me any good for prices to stop from rising if I die! Even if they stop the prices from going up, it is certain that thousands of people will die from the death penalty of trying to break the Maximum. I am sure that if my clothes and accessory shop was still open, I would be tempted to break the Maximum and if that had happened, I don’t know what I would do for my little Samuel.
Every day I become more wary of the surrounding people... Scared that someone might suspect me of doing any wrongs. Where I am right now, the penalty of rebelling the government is the guillotine. To stay positive, I can say that I am glad that I don’t live near Nantes or Lyons because I heard rumors that they are making plans for thousands of people to drowned at a time to speed up the killings and that in Lyon people are going to be shot into graves like target practice, but what really keeps going in my mind is that if I die, I will DIE.
If something happens to me, I just hope my son will be safe with my sister. I have sent him away to stay with her in case the worst shall happen. They still have not found out my sister’s relation to me because we were separated when we were very young. The fact that she is the wife of Jean-Paul Girard (Bradley) should keep them from finding out the relation between my sister and me, and my five year old son, Samuel and me.